Bedfordview Fire Station manager goes down memory lane

Floyd Nkosi has spent the past 27 years serving the community as a firefighter.

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Even after so many years, he is still passionate about coming to the aid of his community.

This year he celebrates 14 years as the station manager for the Ted Kirkby Fire Station.

“I still go out to attend to fires and accidents. I assist people just like when I started in 1996.”

His career started in 1996 when he joined the Benoni Fire Emergency Services as a learner firefighter.

He then joined the Germiston Municipality in 2000.

Nkosi said growing up he always knew he wanted to embark on a career that saw him helping the community.

“Saving someone’s life or their property is what attracted me to the profession. I love what I do and know that I can be of service to my community,” said Nkosi.

While stationed at Germiston, he obtained his BTech from Tshwane University of Technology in fire technology.

“I have done all the basics courses that are needed to become a firefighter from your pump operators, and hazmat operations to Ariel.

“It was crucial for me to have the needed knowledge and experience and to go the extra mile to be able to serve the community to the best of my abilities.

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“When you go out there you need people with skills that can assist people in various categories. You need to know how the fire reacts.”

He encouraged other firefighters to arm themselves with education.

Some of his memorable moments include a German national who came back to the country to thank the station after they had saved his life during a car accident.

“Most of the incidents that involve children hit the hardest.

“When I was still in Benoni we had a young child who was trapped in a burning house. We tried everything possible to rescue him but unfortunately, the child didn’t make it.”

Nkosi added he loves the cooperation and support from the Bedfordview community.

“We are lucky that we have fire hydrants across the suburb.”

The department also responds to an emergency in Germiston, Primrose, Edenvale and also informal settlements.

Tips to protect yourselves and your families during this winter season (provided by the Disaster and Emergency Management Services district manager media liaison William Ntladi):

During load shedding switch off all electrical appliances. This includes hairdryers, heaters, and stoves.

“We have had several houses that burnt because of smaller appliances that were left on during load-shedding or were unattended.

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“Make it a point to switch off all appliances even when you leave your workplace switch your air cons,” said Ntladi.

He also urged smokers to not throw away the lit cigarette buds whether at home, the office or on the highway.

Gas stove and cylinder users are advised to use the appliance with caution.

“People need to know how to operate the gas stoves. Even the pipeline system from the cylinder through to the stove carries danger. It should be SAB-approved material.

“Know how to switch on the stove and follow the manufacturer’s instructions in terms of lighting the gas stove,” he said.

The safer way to switch on a gas stove according to Nltadi is by putting the match on the stove first and then opening up the valve.

He urged those who are using generators to only refill the generator while still cold and to use a funnel to avoid spillage.

Generators mustn’t be kept inside the house or an enclosed area – they must outside in a free environment (must be operated according to manufacturer’s guidelines).

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What to do when there’s an emergency

• The first step call the emergency services on 011 458 0911 (this is the paid line). Don’t wait for the situation to get out of hand.

• Provide full name and surname as well as contact details.

• Give the exact address of where the emergency is – the caller must give informed information about the actual scene.

• Give the landmark close to the scene.

• If some potential hazards can obstruct the arrival of the emergency services notify the emergency services when you are providing info about the scene.

• Don’t put your phone down before the caller operator advises you to.